City’s proposed ordinance restricts grass parking

A proposed Osceola city ordinance regarding the location of boats, trailers and campers in yards, also includes a section specifically addressing cars parked on the lawn.

The ordinance, if passed, would not allow personal vehicles, including passenger cars, pickups, vans and sport utility vehicles, to park anywhere on a lawn. Vehicles must be parked on a defined driveway, whether it's gravel, concrete or asphalt, said Zoning Administrator Dave Leonard.

Leonard said city officials are mainly concerned about personal vehicles being parked on the grass for a long period of time.

"We're not going to go out and nail you if you pull your car up in the yard and are washing it," he said. "But if it sits for weeks and weeks and weeks that's when it becomes a problem. Some yards have become driveways."

Leonard said parking in the grass is not only a visual issue but can also become a safety issue if the vehicle is blocking traffic's vision.

If the ordinance is passed, any resident violating the section could face a fine of $50 for the first offense and $100 for the second offense. The fine would continue to double for every day the offense continues to exist.